Sometimes a simple product comes along that manages to be exactly what your skin needs right now. Ladies and gents may I introduce you to Ermana Comfort Balm.

This winter I’ve developed eczema/dermatitis on my right hand. It’s been red, itchy, swollen and in desperate need of soothing. Any fragranced hand creams have been tossed aside as they irritate my skin and besides I don’t like over powering smells on my hands.  Who wants to be sniffing their hand? Cold weather also means dryer skin than usual so I’ve been slathering on balms and nut butters. They do the job but with no finesse. On the hands I find most balms are just TOO balmy! I want something that will sink in quickly and not make me feel like I’ve coated my hand in blubber.

Ermana is a new Glasgow-based skincare company producing small batch, hand-made skincare using natural and organic ingredients only, which means no petrochemicals, preservatives, parabens, sulphates or artificial colourings and fragrances.  The name comes from the spanish word for sister, as the founder was inspired to set up the company by her sister. There’s a thoughtfulness about the packaging design that is really appealing. The monochrome, botanical illustrations remind me a little of adult colouring in books.

The balm is in a glass jar and the exterior paper packaging has a batch date inside so you know when it was made. Big thumbs up from me for that.

The Ermana Comfort Balm is made from organic shea, cocoa and coconut butters, almond oils, beeswax and essential oils. All time honoured, skin nourishing ingredients packed full of vitamins, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.

I’ve noticed that balms containing shea butter and beeswax can sometimes get gritty in cold weather, but I’ve found the texture of this Ermana balm stays smooth. It quickly sinks in to the skin with no waxy feel. It’s a surprisingly light feeling formulation for a balm with rich ingredients. The scent from lavender, ylang ylang and geranium is subtle and suitably soothing. The essential oils are well balanced so the lavender does not dominate, which can often be the case.

Ermana recommends rubbing the balm on temples and wrists. However I’ve been using it on my hands and lips and it’s become a handbag essential. I have the dinky 15ml size below and it’s also available in a 60ml jar.

I must thank lovely Shubana, blogger pal for introducing this balm to me. She recently launched Sujet de Vert, an online green beauty beautique. Head on over for a petite but perfectly formed selection of beautifully packaged and effective natural and organic brands, many of which she stocks exclusively in the UK.

Ermana Comfort Balm, 15ml, £8. ausujetdevert.com.

ERMANA COMFORT BALM INGREDIENTS: Shea butter (Butyrospermum parkii ), Cocoa butter (Theobroma cacoa ), Coconut oil (Cocos nucifera), Sweet almond oil (Prunus amygdalus dulcis), Beeswax (Cera Alba), Lavender (Lavendula angustifoli), Geranium oil (Pelargonium graveolens), Ylang Ylang oil (Cananga odorata).